Outside, the crowd chanted "Kill the bill!" and "Shame on you!" as lawmakers started their day. The demonstration came a day after the Georgia House overwhelmingly approved Gov. Nathan Deal's bill cutting HOPE scholarships for all but the brightest students. The vast majority of students would have to pay thousands more out of pocket for their education.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where Democrats released their own plan Wednesday afternoon to rein in spending on lottery-funded programs, including HOPE and Pre-K.